QEC

Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC)

Qarshi University

Qarshi University is committed to providing quality education that meets the National and International Industry requirements through quality teaching, research and community service and Industrial exposure. The University is committed to provide a quality work and learning environment that is grounded in intellectual and academic freedom, teamwork, quest for excellence, professionalism and discipline.

Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC) Qarshi University implements Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) mechanism of the University and is run as per HEC guidelines. QEC of Qarshi University strives to achieve and contributes towards better score in HEC annual ranking of universities and higher accreditation status from relevant accreditation councils, working under external quality assurance (EQA) mechanism of HEC. To be able to realize this commitment, the University through QEC, continuously reviews its programs and processes to conform to the Quality Management Standards of Quality Assurance Agency (HEC).

Quality Assurance Policy:

Effective Institutional quality assurance processes assess quality against their mission and related objectives. Qarshi University in this Quality Assurance System shall adopt quality as “Purpose” to meet and conform to generally accepted standards defined by Higher Education Commission.

The objectives of Quality Assurance policy include the following:

1. Guide Faulty and administrative staff in development and implementation of internal and external quality assurance procedures and practices.
2. Ensure that quality of academic programs at Qarshi University not only meet the standards expected but exceed the standards.
3. Ensure that graduates attain marketable education as per the needs of national and international Industry.
4. Assist in maintaining and developing quality of academic programs through enhanced support processes.
5. Facilitate the University for the Development of Continuous Quality Improvement culture to achieve academic excellence and ethical values.

Functions and Responsibilities of QEC:

The Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC) will be headed by a Director QEC / Dean reporting directly to Vice Chancellor/. He will correspond with the outside bodies in matter relating to HEC compliance and other regulatory affairs, QEC will be responsible to:

1. Promote public confidence that the quality and standards of the award of degrees issued by Qarshi University meet the criteria set forth by HEC and relevant accreditation councils through implementation of HEC and accreditation councils Quality Assurance Polices
2. Conduct Self-Assessment of Academic Programs offered by University to review the quality standards for further improvement through gap analysis.
3. Conduct Teacher and Course Evaluation each fall/spring semester.to improve the quality of teaching and learning in each subject area by monitoring the performance of university faculty members.
4. Develop program specifications including knowledge, understanding and skill through periodic Review & Revision of existing curriculums.
5. Ensure that the university’s quality assurance procedures are designed to improve and maintain the quality of higher education by conducting Institutional Performance Evaluation (IPE).
6. Develop qualifications framework by setting out the attributes and abilities that can be expected from the holder of a qualification, i.e. Master’s, M. Phil., and Doctoral.
7. Develop program specifications. These are standard set of information clarifying what knowledge, understanding, skills and other attributes a student will have developed on successfully completing a specific program.
8. Develop quality assurance processes and methods of evaluation to affirm that the quality of provision and the standard of awards are being maintained and to foster curriculum, subject and staff development, together with research and other scholarly activities.
9. Developing procedures for the following:

• Approval of new program
• Annual Monitoring and evaluation including program monitoring, Faculty monitoring, and student perceptions
• Departmental review
• Student feedback
• Employer feedback
• Quality assurance of Master’s, M. Phil and PhD degree programs
• Subject review
• Institutional assessment
• Program specifications

Focus area of QEC:

1. a) Academic Quality

To improve the standard of academic quality through procedures and processes that include;

1. Self-Assessment Reports of all Faculties.
2. MS/PhD Program Reviews.
3. NOC of any new MS and PhD Programs from HEC.
4. National & international Rankings (HEC, QS, Times Higher Education).
5. Pakistan Qualification Register (PQR).
6. Provision of Roadmap of Academic Programs and their Approvals.

QEC at Qarshi University will conduct assessment of its academic programs in line with Self-Assessment Manual provided by HEC. The process of Self-Assessment of Academic Programs will be carried in two steps:

Step-01: Preparation of Self-Assessment Report (SAR) by Program Teams (PTs) which involves:

1. Selection of Programs for Self-Assessment.
2. Selection and Notification of Program Teams (PTs) by Vice Chancellor.
3. Training of PTs for the preparation of Self-Assessment Report (SAR) by QEC.
4. Provision of SAR related documents to PTs by QEC.
5. Submission of SAR to QEC by PT.
6. Review of SAR by QEC.
7. Final submission of SAR to QEC through concerned Chairperson / Director / Principal.

Step-02: Submission of Assessment Team (AT) findings, Executive Summary and Implementation Plans prepared by the AT, QEC and Chairperson of the concerned Department will involve the following steps:

1. Selection and Notification of Assessment Teams (ATs) by Vice Chancellor.
2. Training of Assessment teams by QEC.
3. Visit of Assessment Teams to the concerned Department.
4. Submission of AT findings according to HEC format to QEC.
5. Exit Meeting (QEC, Chairperson, PT, AT, Faculty).
6. Submission of Executive Summary to Vice Chancellor by QEC.
7. Submission of Implementation Plan by concerned Chairperson/ to QEC.
8. Follow up the Implementation Plan by QEC.

QEC will provide assistance to all faculties of Qarshi University regarding their responsibility to acquire memberships and accreditations with major National and International bodies.

1. b) Data Analytics

QEC will collect and analyze university data through various surveys and will generate reports that are used for Self-Assessment, Gap Analysis and Continuous Quality Improvement resulting in better quality of academic and student services. These surveys may include:

1. Student Satisfaction Survey.
2. Faculty Satisfaction Survey.
3. Alumni Survey.
4. Employer Survey.
5. Survey of Graduating Students.
6. Course and Teachers Evaluation Survey.
7. c) Institutional Performance Evaluation

The Higher Education Commission has taken an initiative of Performance Based Institutional Recognition (PBIR). Self-Assessment and Self-Evaluation is an essential element in achieving the HEC PBIR. The whole process of Self-Assessment and Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) will be led by the QEC through the adoption of the University Quality Standards and Assessment Model.

QEC will be responsible for preparation of University Portfolio Report (UPR) which is central to the Institutional Performance Evaluation process. This IPE process which will take place periodically is of vital importance to all universities that desire to meet international standards. In order to achieve the desired objectives of IPE, the university must provide the answers to the questions listed in conjunction with each of the standards as well as the university data which is maintained by the university. The University Portfolio Report needs to be prepared before the visit of IPE Panel.

University Quality Standards and Assessment Model that corresponds to the process of Performance Evaluation Standards are given below:

Organization of QEC

• QEC will headed by a Director reporting directly to VC
• Following is the hierarchy of QEC: